Have something that was stolen? This serial bandito may have had it

April 23, 2012|Barbara Hijek, FloriDUH

During the past several weeks a dark-colored Nissan Altima was captured on surveillance video at the scene of home burglaries throughout Tampa. The bandito in these offenses targeted electronics and jewelry, according to a news release from the Tampa Police Department.

Finally, on April 19, forensics determined Duane Armstrong was at the scene of a one of the burglaries, where he gained entry through a window and stole money. He was also identified through fingerprints as being inside another home that was burglarized, according to the release.

A nearby resident captured the Altima on their exterior surveillance camera.

Among the hundreds of stolen items found at Armstrong's home were a Kel-tec 9mm firearm, unusual jewelry, computers, ipods and foreign money.

Armstrong is suspected in many burglaries spanning the course of the last year throughout the city and possibly extending beyond the city limits. The Nissan Altima that he used to facilitate these numerous crimes has been seized.

In 2009, Armstrong reportedly broke into a Miami-Dade house. A woman who was inside the home at the time fled and called the police. When confronted by Miami-Dade law enforcement, Armstrong made a movement to his waistband and an officer shot him, according to the release.